(April 13, 2013) -Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery Grand Opening Celebration April 27: The Only Spirit in the World Made with the Sun, Ocean and Organic Earth

On Saturday, April 27 the Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery will open its gates to offer visitors and locals an experience unlike any other on Maui. The new 80-acre farm and craft distillery illustrates the company’s mission: to create a superior, organic, value-added agricultural product from Hawaii that supports the local economy, competes globally on quality, operates with environmental responsibility and raises awareness for oceanic conservation.

The Grand Opening Celebration, free and open to the public, will be Saturday April 27 from 10 am to 4 pm on the property, located at 4051 Omaopio Rd. in Kula, Hawaii (just below Surfing Goat Dairy). Starting with a blessing at 10 am with Kahu Laki Kaahumanu, musical performances throughout the day include Deason Kaohelo from Lahaina Grown, Slack Key Master Kevin Brown, Zenshin Daiko Taiko Drummers and Ukulele Master CJ Helekahi. Tours will run at 11 am, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 pm. A free BBQ lunch will be provided for all guests.

Areas covered in tours of the Ocean Vodka Farm and Distillery will be: Sustainable farming practices with its abundant fields of sugar cane; Green manufacturing processes in its 6,000 square foot solar-powered warehouse and bottling center; Organic spirits production using 60-foot column still distillation; and local history of sugar cane farming with species identification. The state-of-the-art Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery utilizes solar panels to power 100% of the operations of the distillery and facility. The sugar cane is organically farmed on the rich, volcanic soils without the use of synthetic pesticides or herbicides, and mature sugar cane stalks are hand-harvested for processing. The Martini Garden, a garden designed specifically for martini lovers, will highlight fresh, local ingredients such as Kula lavender, local citrus, passion fruit, pineapple and strawberries.

For more than six years, the Smith Family has worked diligently on bringing Ocean Vodka from Maui to the international marketplace. The new upgraded facility provides Ocean Vodka control of all supply and production, with farming, distillation, manufacturing, marketing and sales consolidated for the first time since the brand’s inception. It also solidifies Ocean Vodka’s growing presence in the marketplace, supporting a ten-fold increase in business as well as new opportunities to expand production into rums, whiskies and unique, naturally infused spirits, while providing additional jobs for the local Maui community.

Starting Monday, April 29, the regular daily tour schedule will begin, with tours conducted five times a day, seven days a week. Staying true to their family business-oriented nature, tours will be conducted by Ocean Vodka staff and owners as available. Tours will last approximately 45 minutes, guiding visitors around the organic farm, martini garden, craft distillery and gift shop. Visitors will be given the opportunity to catch breathtaking views of Mount Haleakala and both the north and south shores of Maui from the Farm’s unique positioning overlooking the central valley of Maui.

“Opening our farm for public tours is very important to us. It gives locals an opportunity to learn about organic farming and get inspiration from a business that started on Maui by kama’aina and is expanding internationally,” says CEO Shay Smith. “For tourists, our tours add another interesting dimension to the classic Hawaii vacation experience. People experience the birthplace of our fine brand and enjoy Ocean Vodka here on Maui, then rediscover it when they return home. We are spreading ‘Aloha’ around the world every day!”

Ocean Vodka is the only spirit in the world made from organically farmed sugar cane, blended with deep ocean mineral water and powered by the sun. Ocean Vodka is 100% Certified USDA Organic and gluten-free, with a proprietary column distillation process that produces an ultra-clean spirit highly decorated and unrivaled in the marketplace. When this pure refined spirit is blended with deep ocean mineral water, Ocean Vodka takes on a unique, mineral-rich flavor found in no other vodka.

The suggested retail price for Ocean Vodka is $32.99.

To schedule a tour, please email us at info@OceanVodka.com or call 808-877-0009 or 866-77-OCEAN (866-776-2326).

Long inspired by the ocean paradise of Hawaii, Ocean Vodka is handcrafted using deep ocean mineral-rich water sourced from a depth of 3,000 feet off the Kona Coast of the Island of Hawaii. The trace minerals, including potassium, magnesium and calcium, help create a distinct and pleasurable flavor profile that is unlike any other vodka. Ocean Vodka has been the exclusive vodka on Hawaiian Airlines since 2007, and is the number one selling spirit made in Hawaii. Originally launched on Maui in 2006, Ocean Vodka is the creation of the Smith Family, owners of Ocean Vodka. Situated on a breathtaking 80-acres in Kula on the slopes of Mount Haleakala, the Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery captures panoramic views of both the north and south shores of Maui. It is easily reached from Maui’s international Kahului Airport as well as the island’s world-famous resorts.